WORDS AND IMAGES PAUL EVANS
It’s been a performance that both celebrates a glittering career and a testament to a bands enduring influence on alternative rock in an awe-inspiring venue.
The Piece Hall, a breathtaking, grand relic of 18th-century architecture is the unique and atmospheric musical backdrop tonight. The grandeur of its towering colonnades and expansive courtyard providing an atmospheric gig setting for Boston’s enigmatic alternative four-piece, Pixies. A band whose influence on the burgeoning alternative music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s cannot be overstated. An influence that has continued to loom large with subsequent generations of bands drawing inspiration from their pioneering sound, raw energy and unconventional song structures cementing their status as one of the most enduring and influential bands of the last 40 years. Their music blending punk’s raw energy, surf rock with a knack for pop melodies, creating a sound that is both abrasive and melodic characterised by Black Francis’s raw, yelping vocals, Joey Santiago’s angular guitar work, melodic bass lines and David Lovering’s tight drumming.
The Piece Hall is packed and bathed in a warm, golden light as the sun dips below the horizon. The atmosphere is intimate, electric and majestic. The raw energy and frantic pace of ‘Gouge Away’ immediately sets the tone for the night. Black Francis’s vocals are as intense as ever, alternating between desperate shouts and eerie whispers. Joey Santiago’s jagged guitar riffs cut through the dark night air, while David Lovering’s pounding drums and Emma Richardson’s (ex-Band of Skulls) driving bass provide a foundation for the chaos. The song’s quiet-loud-quiet dynamic, executed flawlessly, with the four-piece shifting seamlessly between subdued verses and explosive choruses with Emma’s backing vocals perfect. As the final chords ring out, the band seamlessly transition into “Wave of Mutilation,” another track from the seminal Doolittle, the audience swaying and yelling along. The contrast between the song’s melodic verses and its frenetic chorus showcasing the Pixies’ mastery of dynamics, the song’s breezy melody contrasting with its dark lyrics. Black Francis delivers the lyrics of “Head On” with a ferocity that matches The Jesus and Mary Chain original. The songs blistering guitar riffs and thunderous drumming igniting the crowd into a frenzy of dancing and singing along as the band are hidden in the dark, bathed in green lights. Vocals are both ferocious and heartfelt, capturing the essence of the original while adding the Pixies’ unique flair. Joey Santiago’s guitar solo is particularly memorable, cutting through the night air with a razor-sharp edge.
Some bands like banter between songs. Pixies have never been one of those bands. As always, they let the music do the talking and concentrate on giving a mammoth set which spans all their classic albums. They meander effortlessly through this extensive back catalogue, each track building on the energy of the last. Taking the crowd back to their beginnings, the energy of “Isla de Encanta” is infectious, Francis’s falsetto soaring over eerie guitar lines, creating tension and unease. The haunting “Caribou” again highlights the band’s ability to effortlessly blend beauty and brutality while the sparse “Cactus” is dark and brooding. Desperate vocals, combining with minimalist guitar creating a sense of longing and despair. The simplicity of the song’s structure making it even more powerful in the historic venue.
“Hey”, “Mr. Grieves”, “Debaser” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven” from Doolittle invite us all to lose ourselves in the mesmerising soundscapes of our 80s youth. They always sound fresh, but tonight fresher than ever with Emma’s stunning vocals adding a new dimension. “Hey” has the crowd in a trance, with its seductive bassline and hypnotic rhythm. The call-and-response during the chorus adding to the communal feeling of the night, as thousands of voices join together. “Mr. Grieves” brings a lighter energy to the set, the crowd swaying to its offbeat rhythms. As the opening bass notes of “Debaser” ring out across the Yorkshire night, the crowd erupt in cheers. One of the Pixies’ most iconic songs, “Debaser” is a perfect encapsulation of the band’s unique blend of surrealism and raw energy. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of “I am un chien andalusia” has pretty much the entire audience shouting along in unison. The song’s infectious energy and unforgettable melody making it a highlight of the night. “Monkey Gone to Heaven” is met with even more enthusiasm. The song’s existential themes, coupled with its dynamic shifts between quiet verses and explosive choruses make for a powerful live performance and shared reflections on the song’s deeper meanings. The crowd responding with wild enthusiasm, singing along with every word and moving in unison to the music.
It’s a carefully curated setlist through all the bands great albums. The sudden shifts in musical tempo and dynamics keeping the audience on their toes, the band’s tight performance ensuring that every twist and turn is delivered with precision. Everything still sounds fresh after all these years and the quality of the sound is simply stunning and is no doubt one of the I’ve ever heard. The high end is crystal and with a performance like this I’m guessing they’ll be even more musicians using the bands influence.
A moment of calm amid the intensity of the set comes in the form of the dreamy “Ana” from Bossanova. The song’s lush, reverb-drenched guitar lines and Black Francis’s gentle vocals creating a serene atmosphere amongst the 18th Century architecture. “Here Comes Your Man” is greeted with ecstatic cheers and sing-alongs from the crowd. The song’s bending guitars and Joey Santiago’s piercing guitar riffs reverberating through the hall. “In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)” from David Lynch’s Eraserhead is a fitting tribute to the band’s love of surrealism and the avant-garde. The song’s eerie, otherworldly atmosphere captured perfectly by haunting vocals and dissonant guitar work creating a sense of unease. As the opening chords of “Where Is My Mind?” ring out, the crowd erupt in cheers again singing along with the chorus, creating a powerful moment of unity and connection. The song’s haunting melody and surreal lyrics resonate deeply making it an emotional high point of the night.
Neil Young’s “Winterlong” brings the night to a close, Black Francis delivering the lyrics with a sense of longing and melancholy. Santiago’s guitar work impressive, capturing the spirit of Young’s music while adding a Pixies’ unique twist. It’s a beautiful and fitting end to a night of incredible music.
It’s been a performance that both celebrates a glittering career and a testament to a bands enduring influence on alternative rock in an awe-inspiring venue. It’s been an opportunity to see one of the most important bands of the past four decades in a truly unique setting. As the lights dim, one thing is clear the Pixies’ legacy is far from over, and their music will continue to inspire, challenge, and captivate audiences for years to come.
Pixies are:-
Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar)
Joey Santiago (lead guitar)
Emma Richardson (bass, backing vocals)
David Lovering (drums)
.
SETLIST:
1/ Gouge Away
2/ Wave of Mutilation
3/ Head On
4/ Isla de Encanta
5/ Caribou
6/ Hey
7/ Mr. Grieves
8/ Subbacultcha
9/ Cactus
10/ Debaser
11/ Monkey Gone to Heaven
12/ The Happening
13/The Vegas Suite
14/ Chicken
15/ The Thing
16/ Vamos
17/ Ana
18/ Here Comes Your Man
19/ Motorway to Roswell
20/ All Over the World
21/ The Sad Punk
22/ River Euphrates
23/ Bone Machine
24/ U-Mass
25/ In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)
26/ Wave of Mutilation
27/ Where Is My Mind?
28/ Winterlong
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I’ve loved music since forever. Graphic designer, photographer and artist at painted.papillon.smile (www.ppsdesign.co.uk)
